The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-12-22
Ith CONCRESS-.FIRST SESSION.
SENATE.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 81.
A resolution was adopted instructlng the
committee on privileges and elections to in
quire into the expediency Of adapting form
of credentials Of election OF United States
Senators.
A resolution looking to the reduction OF
the letter postage to one cent was referred to
the post Office committee.
A committee TO amend the law concerning
the commissioner of fish and fisheries was
called up and passed. 1t provides for the
appointment by the President, with the con-
sent Of the Senate, of commissioners pos
sessed Of a practical acquaintance with fish
ing and fisheries, at salary, he not to have
any other office.
Senator Allison called up the holiday re-
cess resolution and moved its adoption.
Senator Plumb said he would vote against
the resolution, because he thought that the
proposed recess was against the public inter-
est. Congress would be in session TIL tne
dog days, and during the latter part Of the
session the country would be in the midst OF
a heated Presidential canvass. There was
no reason why members of Congress should
go home for the holidays. Senator Plumb
attacked the Presidents message and the
latter's attitude regarding the surplus he
also denounced the Republican treasury
policy but decl ared it consistent.
Senator Beck replied in defense OF the
President.
Senator Dolph made a speech, advocating
the disposal Of the surplus by internal i'm
proyements. He was followed by Senators
Vest, Plumb Teller and others
The holiday adjournment resolution was
finally concurred in: yeas. 81; nays, 10. The
nays were Berry, Blair, Bowen. Chandler,
Dawes, Dawes, Dolph; Frye, George In
Palmer, Platt, Plumb, Riddleberger, Stew
art, Teller.
The Blair educational bill was taken up as
unfinished business. Then, on motion Of
Senator Sherman, at 4.35 o'clock, the Senate
proceeded to executive business. half an
hour afterwards it adjourned.
HOUSE.
Mr. Randall, of Pennsylvania, from the
committee on rules, submitted partial re-
port, which recommends the adoption Of the
rules of the 49th Congress until furthur or
ders, with the following changes; The
membership of the committee on library to
be increased to five. A standing committee
is established to consist Of thirteen members
to be known as committee on merchant ma
rine and fisheries, the addition of repre-
sentaton Of delegate ON committee on pri-
vate land claims is recommended. The fol-
lowing select committees are provided for
on reform in the civil service, on action of
President and Vice President and Repre-
sentatives in Congress, on the eleventh CEN
sus, on Indian depreciation claims. of thir-.
teen members each, on alcoholic traffic, OF
eleven members.
Mr.. Randall briefly explained the propos-
ed changes, which he stated were, with one
exception, recommended by the unanimous
vote of the committee ON rules. Thatiex-
ception was the recommendation for the ap-
pOintment OF the special committee on the
alcoholic liquor traffic. The gentlemen from
Maine and Illinois (Reed and Cannon) and
he constituted the majority of the committee.
After considerable discussion, the House
agreed to the partial report Of the committee
on rules, adopting the rules of the 49th Con-
gress, with certain qualifications. The
House adjourned.